What are our strategies?

IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH GRADUATE SCHOOL STUDENTS - The Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition calls for the revision of Missouri’s Grade Level Expectations and assessments for pre-school through high school students, while ensuring that these revisions work hand in hand with collegiate standards as well. Expectations and assessments for pre-school through high school students, while ensuring that these revisions work hand in hand with collegiate standards as well. In addition, we support the adoption and implementation of the Common Core and Next Generation Science standards in order to align districts in one effort- to improve student achievement.

EXPANDING THE POOL OF STUDENTS MOTIVATED TO PURSUE STEM CAREERS - The Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition recommends improving academic and career counseling, so more students know what career opportunities exist and how to achieve in those careers. The report also suggests exposing students to real-world experiences through partnerships with businesses, laboratories, museums and zoos or internships and fieldtrips. The Coalition recommends initiatives to celebrate and reward students who excel in STEM studies and activities.

EXPANDING THE POOL OF QUALITY STEM EDUCATORS - Missouri is facing a severe shortage of STEM educators in our public schools, so the Coalition recommends that the state provides incentives to recruit and retain quality math and science teachers. The plan also calls for innovative approaches to help people working in STEM fields to also have the opportunity to teach their areas of expertise to students, opening a resource that is currently untapped in Missouri.

ESTABLISHING A TECHNOLOGY PLAN TO SUPPORT STEM EFFORTS - An important initiative of the Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition is the establishment of a standard technology suite for all schools, including a strong teacher-training component that will ensure Missouri educators maximize the investment in this critical teaching tool. Standardizing technology across all Missouri institutions will also give Missouri an economy of scale, and will make it easier for educators to collaborate teaching methods across the state. The Coalition also calls for creating an online portal that schools across the state can use as a resource for sharing best practices.

INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE VALUE OF STEM KNOWLEDGE AND STEM RELATED CAREERS - The success of this initiative revolves around changing the mindset of students, parents, educators, business leaders and the general public about the importance of STEM disciplines not just for those students seeking to become mathematicians and scientists, but for all students’ quality of life. A public awareness campaign operating on various levels – from public service announcements to grassroots action through local chambers of commerce and other community groups – is recommended by the Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition.